farmers' gardens. 



361 



of tte same kind in tlie garden, reserving enongli to fill the vacancies that may 

 possibly occur. I would recommend to transplant, however, in preference to 

 leaving vacant places. 



TIME THAT SEEDS WILL RETAIN THEIR VITALITY. 



There can be no positive data given as to the time that seeds will retain 

 their vitality, because in the nature of the case the circumstances under which 

 they are placed will scarcely be alike in any two instances. 



The following table has been handed me by a seedsman of much experience, 

 and is probably as correct and reliable as anything we can get. 



Artichoke 5 to 6 years. 



Asparagus -■ '-i to 3 years. 



Beans, all kinds 2 to 3 years. 



Beet 3 to 4 years. 



Brocoli 5 to 6 years. 



Carrot 2 to 3 years. 



Cress 3 to 4 years. 



Corn kept on the cob 2 to 3 years. 



Cucumber 8 to 10 years. 



Eggplant 1 to 2 years. 



Endive 5 to 6 years. 



Leek 2 to 3 years. 



Cauliflower 5 to 6 years. 



Celery 2 to 3 years. 



Chervil 2 to 3 years. 



Corn salad 2 to 3 years. 



Onion 2 to 3 years. 



Parsley 2 to 3 years. 



Parsnip 2 to 3 years. 



Pea 5 to 6 years. 



Pumpkin 8 to 10 years. 



Rhubarb 3 to 4 years. 



Squash 8 to 10 years. 



Lettuce 3 to 4 years- 

 Melon 8 to 10 years. 



Mustard 3 to 4 years. 



Oki'a 3 to 4 years. 



Spinach 3 to 4 years. 



Tomato 2 to 3 years. 



Turnip 5 to 6 years. 



Pepper 2 to 3 years. 



Radish 4 to 5 years. 



Salsafy 2 to 3 years. 



Anise 3 to 4 years. 



Balm 2 to 3 years. 



Basil 2 to 3 years. 



Caraway 2 years. 



Coriander 1 year. 



Dill 2 to 3 years. 



Fennel 2 to 3 years. 



Hyssop 3 to 4 years. 



Lavender 2 to 3 years. 



Sweet marjoram 2 to 3 years. 



Summer savory 1 to 2 years. 



Sage 2 to 3 years. 



Thyme 2 to 3 years. 



Wormwood 2 to 3 years. 



An incident mentioned in the " Canada Farmer '^is worth noticing. Mr. 

 John Kuowlson says, that having some half dozen packages of garden peas of 

 different varieties, and some beans labelled "Agricultural Beans," which had 

 lain in a lumber room as valueless for eleven years, he sowed them as an ex- 

 periment. Almost every one vegetated and produced an excellent yield. 



He adds that they were put up in strong brown paper bags of fine texture, 

 pasted so as to exclude the air. 



"Were space allowed I might speak of several other topics in connexion 

 with the farmer's garden, such as the gathering and keeping of fruit, the in- 

 fluence of the atmosphere on plants, the diseases of plants, insects, birds, bees, 

 garden implements, and other things. 



Increasing intelligence, taste, and wealth have converted many things that 

 once were luxuries into the comforts and even the necessaries of life. Every 

 man who cultivates even a small garden, and who has a taste for beauty, can 

 add ornament to his culture ; can mingle with those plants that are sweet to 

 the taste, and which are designed to nourish the body, such as are pleasant to 

 the sight, and as shed an agreeable fragrance around him. 



Men of wealth and those who wish to create rapidly a world of beauty 

 around them may employ an artist, but every farmer should be his own artist. 

 Nature has implanted in every man a love of the beautiful, and this, if cultivated, 

 will become to him a source of pleasure and enjoyment. Not every man can 

 paint, but every one can make a picture ; and where can a more beautiful pic- 

 ture be found than is presented by a well-arranged, well-cultivated garden ? 



